Chapter 6 Cultural Pluralism

What was the relationship between religious groups and government in colonial America?

In the beginning the colonies were resistant to the idea of religious freedom. They only supported Puritan churches with tax dollars and even went as far as executing Quakers and Imprisoning Baptists. Furthermore they enacted anti-blasphemy laws to suppress religious freedom

What was the result of the Great Awakening?

The impact of the Great Awakening on religious freedom was that it denied the significance of differences between Protestant sects. Prior to the Great Awakening, Protestants belonged to one sect or another, each defining itself as the "true faith." The Great Awakening replaced a secratarian approach to Christianity with a denominational view based on the perception of a singular Protestant church that is called---denominated—by many different names such as Angelican, Lutheran, or Baptist. Although the denominational view united Protestants, Catholics were not included

What do Deists believe?

A deist believes that God exists and created the world, but does not interfere with His creation. Deists acknowledge that God created the universe but insist that human beings must use their intellects to understand the rational principles by which the universe functions.

What is the only reference to religion in the Constitution of the United States?

The authors affirmed the principle of religious freedom by stating, "No religious Test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the U.S" (article 6). This was the only reference, and it was not widely supported. The founders chose to create a secular government to avoid religious conflict.

The "freedom to worship according to one's religious beliefs" as illustrated in the Bill of Rights?

Although the freedom to worship according to one's personal religious beliefs was guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, it was guaranteed in principle more than in practice. There was considerable opposition to "non-Protestant" faiths.

What does an agnostic believe?

Believing that one could neither prove nor disprove the existence of God.

What Act allowed for the dramatic change in the racial and religious make up of immigrants to the United States?

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 by removing strict Asian immigration quotas.

What was the result of the 2002 Ninth Circuit court ruling in Newdow v. United States Congress?

Created a controversy by ruling that the inclusion of the phrase "under God" meant the Pledge of Allegiance served a religious, not a secular, purpose. The court concluded that the school setting is a coercive context that puts pressure on students to conform to the majority.